Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. citizens. 1st area of consideration will be given to current permanent employees of the Durham VA Health Care System to include all associated (CBOCs); 2nd area of consideration- current, permanent VHA Employees; 3rd Area of Consideration - all others. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The Surgical Services Clinical Operations Manager is responsible for the management and oversight of clinical operations within Surgical Services. These duties include formulation of an operational budget for the service, human resource management, responsibility for clinical performance measures and reporting, the development of protocols and processes for best practices, optimization of resources, and clinical programs across services and institutions.

The administrative responsibilities include, but may not be limited to (80%):

• Makes and implements decisions that directly affect patient care and makes final administrative planning decisions for the Surgical Services.
• Provides active and well-informed administrative participation in planning for the delivery of health care by identifying needs and potential opportunities.
• Performs central role in developing and coordinating internal review systems to assure that both clinical and administrative activities comply with accrediting and regulatory requirements. - Responsible for the formulation and fiscal administration of operational budget for the service.
• Develops and implements systems and procedures for improving costeffectiveness and productivity.
• Coordinates the acquisition of supplies, equipment, and services, reviewing and approving all requests for supplies, equipment, and services.
• Provides leadership and guidance in determining the resource needs, distributing initial resource allocations, and adjusting resource allocations dictated by changes in program needs.
• Collect data to make informed decisions regarding opportunity costs, clinical performance metrics, utilization, workload, labor mapping, book ability, and process improvements.
• Participates in staff and committee meetings as assigned by the Chief of Surgical Service, Chief of Staff and/or Director.
• Is knowledgeable in hiring procedures and is responsible for coordinating performance evaluations to include counseling and performance actions.
• Leads the Service in administering programs concerning such matters as equal opportunity, merit promotions, labor management relations, and position management.
• Has knowledge of hiring and credentialing of clinical and non-clinical staff and responsible for coordinating performance evaluations and OPPEs/FPPEs.

The Surgical Clinical Operational Manager clinical responsibilities include, but may not be limited to (20%):

• Programmatic focus to improve programs and services that directly impact patient care services
• Coordinating referrals, scheduling, and evaluating veterans at the Durham VAHCS as well from outside VA's and private sector referrals of veterans to the Surgical Service.
• Primary focus of practice is the clinical management of healthcare to the veteran's assigned to the Surgical Service.
• Facilitating care of surgical patient's as well as their entry and exit from various healthcare systems, to include CITC, by establishing and maintaining liaison with a variety of medical specialists and associated staff.
• Assisting with clinical aspects of care to the patients of the sub-specialty departments assigned to the Surgical Service. This includes evaluations, consultations, and the writing of orders. The APP has the authority to order all tests and procedures necessary to evaluate and care for these patients.
• Initiating and accepting referrals to clinics and/or community agencies. Collaborates with other healthcare resources to insure timely and appropriate care of patients.
• Assisting in the Operating Room at the direction of the Chief of Surgery in accordance with the clinical Scope of Practice held by the specific Surgical Clinical Operational Manager.
• Performing minor procedures within their realm of expertise and under the direction of the Chief of Surgery and in accordance with the individual's Scope of Practice.
• Assisting other APPs assigned to the surgical services as needed.
• Providing administrative supervision of day-to-day operations of surgical specialty clinics in the outpatient setting.
• Full authority for Clinical/administrative research

Work Schedule: 7:30 am-4:00 pm or 8:00 am-4:30 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Physician Assistant Basic Requirements

• Master's degree in any discipline or a bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant ~AND~
• Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or are you in the process to taking the exam) ~AND~
• Currently hold, or will hold, a full and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia.

PA - IV (Clinical Leader/Administrative Leader) Grade Determinations.PAs at the PA-IV grade level may serve as clinical leader or administrative leader. Clinical PA Leaders may be assigned to positions/studies where limited guidance exists as physician oversight is not required. Administrative PA Leaders are involved with strategic planning and administrative/managerial responsibilities for integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care. A PA clinical leader/administrative leader may monitor or evaluate services or programs with interaction of senior administration.

Experience. PA clinical leaders/administrative leaders require five years of experience which included leadership assignments that involved formulating program objectives and priorities, implementing plans and practices, and interpreting regulatory and organizational guidance to develop and implement policies and/or procedures.

Do you possess five years of experience which included leadership assignments that involved formulating program objectives and priorities, implementing plans and practices, and interpreting regulatory and organizational guidance to develop and implement policies and/or procedures AND demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) below:

a. Ability to assess information and make recommendations that may significantly affect the content, interpretation, or development of programs concerning critical matters or key issues within the health care system.
b. Ability to schedule and supervise staff, students, or ancillary personnel, to include conducting performance evaluations.
c. Skill in planning, organizing, directing, and controlling an integrated program.
d. Skill in design, management of budget, and cost benefit analysis to ensure optimal stewardship of resources.
e. Ability to analyze complex medical care, organizational processes and/or systems, and develop and implement solutions that improve outcomes at the program or service level.f. Ability to develop and recommend new or revised policies or procedures to justify program goals and motivate assigned personnel.

NOTE: PAs at this level are not required to meet each individual KSA listed below to qualify, but should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire those not met upon appointment for PA-IV.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is PA-IV.

Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook Directive 5019

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.